How Do You Market Your Copywriting Services?

16 years ago

Well, my advise would be to keep cool, you will see in places like Elance very low bids that will make you hesitate, concentrate on quality not price or you'll end up offering articles at $5 a pop. You WILL get good leads as in anything, there are people who are new and purchase all those cheap articles, but there are also more experienced clients that know that they have to pay better for some real quality.

The techniques for selling a product can be transfered to a service. Take Elance, they have made a fortune and they offer a service online.

Do your market research and find out where people who purchase copywriting servies hang out, it could be a forum for editors or for magazines. The research will show you just how big your market is; you can then study your competition, see what is working for them and develop a strategy they are not using!

Thanks

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Loren Woirhaye

16 years ago

Get Peter Bowerman's book "The Well-Fed Writer". It may or
may not be the best book on marketing and running a freelance
writing business, but it's a good one at least and a new edition
just came out. Bob Bly and Steve Slaunwhite published books
on the topic too. John Carlton has a multi-hundred-dollar
course on it. I think the emphasis of the Carlton course is
"networking" - as in... go to seminars and meet clients.

Elance is the land of the amazing shrinking writer's fee. You have
to think wider than Elance and similar sites because it pretty
much functions as a conduit for shoestring entrepreneurs to
try to hire talent at shoestring prices.

That's another way of saying most of the clients on Elance
don't have any money.

If you are going to market yourself as a web copywriter you'll
need a better website than most, IMO. Most web copywriter's
websites I see aren't very persuasive and are kind of generic.
I advise you really flex your creative muscles in coming-up with
your own marketing material - because committed people hire
people who are themselves committed and show it in everything
they do.

Thanks
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reedcopywriting

16 years ago

Originally Posted by Loren Woirhaye

Elance is the land of the amazing shrinking writer's fee. You have
to think wider than Elance and similar sites because it pretty
much functions as a conduit for shoestring entrepreneurs to
try to hire talent at shoestring prices.

I want to think wider than Elance - I am not happy scraping the bottom of the barrel there - I just am a little unsure about how to drum up new business.

I already understand how to RUN a freelance business, as I have done it for many years - its the advertising and collecting new clients that I need the help with.

Originally Posted by Loren Woirhaye

If you are going to market yourself as a web copywriter you'll need a better website than most, IMO. Most web copywriter's websites I see aren't very persuasive and are kind of generic.
I advise you really flex your creative muscles in coming-up with
your own marketing material - because committed people hire
people who are themselves committed and show it in everything
they do.

I KNOW that my website is a lot better than most. It is powerful, it is confident and it is effective as hell...

The question is how do I get my target audience to my website and introduce them to my freelance services?

Thanks

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Loren Woirhaye

16 years ago

Arguably marketing is an integral part of running any
business - it always is in my experience and it's usually
the area of greatest pain among my clients.

You might want to hire a marketing consultant to help
you set up your marketing. It would probably be much
faster than trying to go from where you are to being
an effective marketer all on your own.

Thanks

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reedcopywriting

16 years ago

I have to learn sometime...

Does anyone have any suggestions or tips on how they generate new business?

Thanks

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Chris Ramsey

16 years ago

Sales letter + PPC has been the formula for me.

I've gotten multi-thousand dollar deals this way.

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Rezbi

16 years ago

I don't write for others any more but I've never advertised.

I've never actually gone out and said, "Hey look, I'm a copywriter so hire me".

I stuck around a few forums and social sites and basically wrote on my blogs, some of which I've gotten rid of now.

I wrote whatever I wanted to write and, I guess, I've always been pretty controversial and tend to speak my mind.

Maybe it's because of that, or the fact I wasn't actively trying to sell... or... I don't really know... I never thought to ask.

I did get people calling me from all over the world -- I'd be sitting at my computer and suddenly someone would skype me asking me to work for them.

I've had to turn down quite a lot.

Now, please don't take this the wrong way as I'm not trying to be big-headed.

Heck, the majority of writers out there are better than me.

All I'm saying is maybe you can take something from what I've written here and make something of it.

Thanks

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reedcopywriting

16 years ago

Thanks Rezbi!

I agree with you... I think that you need to be a little controversial to grab attention. I think you need to speak your mind in order to stand out from the crowd.

No one wants to go out with the guy who is begging for a date

Thanks
1 reply

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Hugh Thyer 16 years ago

OK. You're a copywriter and marketing expert. So why can't you get clients?

What would you advise somebody else in your situation to do?

You've got to try harder.

For example, you've come on here saying you're looking for work.

And yet you've got no signature directing people back to your website so they can contact you.

There are more people who need copywriters than there are copywriters. Clients are everywhere if you make an effort.
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- reedcopywriting 16 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by Hugh Thyer
  
  OK. You're a copywriter and marketing expert.
  
  I'm a good copywriter... not a marketing expert - that is why I am here.
  
  I just joined and I appreciate the signature tip.
  
  Thanks
  
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Hesster

16 years ago

Steve Slaunwhite has a free guide you can download when you subscribe to his e-zine that has some useful information on how to get clients. It's worth a look:

Become a copywriter or grow your existing copywriting business

There's also Ryan Healy's guide, which I haven't read myself, but have heard good things about:

Get Copywriting Clients | How to Get Your First Real Client

[ 1 ] Thanks

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Peter Helps

16 years ago

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MikeHumphreys

16 years ago

Hi Ro,

Traffic generation to a website is the same tactics regardless of what the product or service that is being sold on the website. You have keywords that are specific to that type of product or service. A number of traffic generation techniques like article writing, PPC, blogging, etc. use keywords to attract targeted traffic.

For starters, you need to put some of those keywords as a meta tag in your website. That way, search engines can easily index your site.

If you're not already a member of the Copywriting Board, you'll want to join. It's free and is a growing resource and sounding board for copywriters.

The Copywriting Board - Index

I have several products that I sell which focus on teaching marketing and salesmanship to copywriters. Rather than turn this post into a self-promotional sales pitch, let me give you a link to one resource I've made available elsewhere for free. There's no opt-in either.

It's my interview with A-List copywriter Doug D'Anna where Doug shares a number of the tactics and techniques he used to build his $500K/year copywriting business.

Market Your Copy and Doug D'Anna Exclusive Interview

It took me about 2 months to go from zero clients to a full-time copywriting business and 3 years later, I'm still writing copy full-time. If I can do it, anyone else can do it. All it takes is creating a plan of attack and putting it into action.

Hope that helps,

Mike

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Rezbi

16 years ago

Originally Posted by MikeHumphreys

It's my interview with A-List copywriter Doug D'Anna where Doug shares a number of the tactics and techniques he used to build his $500K/year copywriting business.

Market Your Copy and Doug D'Anna Exclusive Interview

You did an interview with Doug D'Anna?

How did I miss that?

Thanks
1 reply

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MikeHumphreys

16 years ago

Originally Posted by Rezbi

You did an interview with Doug D'Anna?

How did I miss that?

I've had the priviledge of interviewing a number of very successful copywriters besides Doug for my Market Your Copy site. Folks like Michel Fortin, Carline Anglade-Cole, Bob Hutchinson, Ray L. Edwards, John Ritz, and more. Everyone of them has been extremely nice and a pleasure to interview.

Doug is a great guy and someone who really wants to see other copywriters succeed. The interview wasn't the first time we had talked on the phone, hence the more relaxed and "informal" the tone by Doug and myself. It was more of two friends chatting in the early morning instead of a stuffy, sterile professional interview.

Enjoy,

Mike

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Rezbi

16 years ago

Originally Posted by MikeHumphreys

I've had the priviledge of interviewing a number of very successful copywriters besides Doug for my Market Your Copy site. Folks like Michel Fortin, Carline Anglade-Cole, Bob Hutchinson, Ray L. Edwards, John Ritz, and more. Everyone of them has been extremely nice and a pleasure to interview.

Doug is a great guy and someone who really wants to see other copywriters succeed. The interview wasn't the first time we had talked on the phone, hence the more relaxed and "informal" the tone by Doug and myself. It was more of two friends chatting in the early morning instead of a stuffy, sterile professional interview.

Enjoy,

Mike

Looks like I'll be frequenting your site a bit more now.

Thanks

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newbyr

16 years ago

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MarkAndrews IMCopywriting

16 years ago

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reedcopywriting

16 years ago

Originally Posted by WordPro

Never underestimate direct contact with website owners either.

They may look upon you as a spammer but at the end of the day, you are trying to do them a favor - let's face it, there is some appallingly bad sales copy out there, even from many so called professional entrepreneurs and blue chip companies.

That really is a great idea - one that I had never thought of before

Thanks

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MarkAndrews IMCopywriting 16 years ago

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- Deb Holder 16 years ago
  
  Peter Bowerman's books are great. If you write to him, he'll personally answer your e-mail.
  
  I, too, stayed busy for a long time and neglected my own marketing. I stayed busy, busy, busy and then, wow, things came to a screeching halt. I was forced to take lower-paying gigs for awhile.
  
  I have several websites. I use AdWords to attract targeted traffic. I've gotten work from an e-mail campaign. Just look up businesses on the Internet and send a short e-mail offering your services. I also use postcard marketing. I've had success with that.
  
  The most important thing to remember is to market to businesses that have money. If they have sponsored ads on Google, target them. You know they're spending money. Tonight, I decided to target local businesses. I looked for businesses with full-page Yellow Pages ads.
  
  I hope this helps.
  
  Thanks
  
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GuerrillaIM

16 years ago

I am a small business owner. The most attractive thing for me about copywriting is that I can get more sales from my advertising without spending any extra.

I think if you are going after business owners like me then this is a very strong selling point to use.

Thanks

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Micheallatour

16 years ago

Offer your business through ppc and find clients. Such as clickbank for example.
the vendors there come out with new products all the time.
just contact them and try to get them on the phone.

Thanks

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reedcopywriting

16 years ago

I want to thank you for all your help - I have gotten some good advice and several ideas that I am starting to use.

Thanks!

Thanks

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BrandonLee

16 years ago

I'm the world's third wost copywriter (which is why I work with David, he evens it out), but do launches for people. The first few I did I terribly underpriced myself, and since I was charging such a cheap price, even though I was producing excellent results people just did not want to pay alot. I raised my price and told people, your going to pay me $10,000 plus my royalty, and when I held to it they paid.
I've got personal access to Jeff Walker when I do my launches, and even if I did not they are still very good. I'm probably going to raise my price to $20,000 plus raise my royalty.
The thing is you just have to be able to say the price. The first time I said $10,000 to somene I could barely spit it out. Just practice saying it in front of the mirror. Raise your standards, and refuse to lower them if your work is up to that standard.
Brandon

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BrandonLee

16 years ago

On a side note regarding fee's, I was talking to one of the top trading sites a few wekes ago and quoted them my fee. They turned me down because they said if I was so good I'd be charging more. So, you really have to think about what your price says about you and what you do.

Brandon

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MarkAndrews IMCopywriting

16 years ago

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BrandonLee

16 years ago

I actually need to get some better copy on there, but I've been lazy and David's been busy so....

Originally Posted by WordPro

A very good point Brandon, thank you for stating that.

If one charges too cheap, the perception of course for your business will be cheap aka low quality.

Charge what you are really worth to a client and their perception of you rises considerably.

I like your very short sales copy on your site too, just enough to raise interest - I'll be doing the same as a test on one of my other copywriting domains soon.

Thanks

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MarkAndrews IMCopywriting 16 years ago

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- David Raybould 16 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by WordPro
  
  I'll write it for you, $40,000 - a bargain at the price.
  
  Admit it, you need help.
  
  Now that is a bargain lol.
  
  Thanks anyway, but I think we have it covered.
  
  -David Raybould
  
  Thanks
  
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  Killer Emails. Cash-spewing VSLs. Turbocharged Landing Pages.
  
  Whatever you need, my high converting copy puts more money in your pocket. PM for details. 10 years experience and 9 figure revenues.
  
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Keeslover

16 years ago

Ro, keep a close eye on posts here. If you read between the lines, you'll find clients. Just PM them and take it from there.

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John Willer

16 years ago

Talk to real business owners and work on helping them out. There are a million ways to contact them but those are the real prospects who can afford to hire you and are willing to spend money if you can deliver

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ayolov 16 years ago

Originally Posted by jmarketer

To be honest, getting clients is like a hustle. You have to hustle and be on top of things when and if opportunities present themselves.

Care to explain?

I like to think getting clients is like making friends-everybody has fun and the benefit is mutual.
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- jmarketer 16 years ago
  
  Yes, it is making friends, but at the end of the day, you have to be a go-getter. people don't just come to you and ask you if they can spend their money with you unless you're well established and someone referred them to you. It's hard to be a copywriter and not a marketer at the same time.
  
  Business is a hustle. If you're not a hustler, which basically means having the drive to go after what you want, then you won't be very successful. Sit down, write out a plan on where to market and how you'll get it done.
  
  Thanks
  
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Barry Walls

16 years ago

I hope ReedCopywriting isn't your business name....because asking how to sell for a copywriter is like a scuba diving instructor asking for swimming lessons. If any potential clients see this thread, you're sunk.

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nontemplates

16 years ago

So this is the infamous thread I have heard about so often

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1 reply

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Barry Walls 16 years ago

Did you search for his business name?

ReedCopywriting - Google Search

How long before its on there for anyone who does a quick snoop?

From his twitter profile...

I Don't Just Write Copy... I Connect With YOUR Reader and SEDUCE Them into Buying YOUR Product.

Can't do it for himself though...hardly confidence inspiring.

Pretty retarded move by OP IMO.
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How Do You Market Your Copywriting Services?

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